DVD Collectors Online

Three Days of the Condor, a review by DJ Doena

September, 2nd


Robert Redford   ...    Joseph Turner / The Condor
Faye Dunaway   ...    Kathy Hale
Cliff Robertson   ...    J. Higgins
Max von Sydow   ...    G. Joubert
John Houseman   ...    Mr. Wabash
Addison Powell   ...    Leonard Atwood

Synopsis: Joseph Turner works for the CIA, but he is no field agent. He reads books from all over the world to find codes, patterns and new ideas for the CIA. But one day when he's out getting lunch for himself and his colleagues all of them are killed. From now on he's on the run from people who want him dead and he doesn't even know why. And they are not foreign agents, they are CIA, too.

My Opinion: That was a very interesting thriller from before the cell phone and computer age. I really enjoyed it how they conducted they spy work in this "old-fashioned" way. The drawback of modern day movies and shows is that whenever they need an information important for the plot they go to a computer, log into a magical database, type "open sesame" and whatever information they need appears immediately. Even face recognition from a bad surveillance camera shot takes no longer than a minute. And due to its age this movie was different, Condor needed more skill to get what he needed and he had to do actual footwork. Yes I liked it.

(From DJ Doena's movie watchings 2009 on September 2nd, 2009)

Beast From Haunted Cave, a review by Danae Cassandra

Beast From Haunted Cave
Year of Release: 1959
Directed By: Monte Hellman
Starring: Michael Forest, Sheila Carol, Frank Wolff, Wally Campo, Richard Sinatra
Genre: Horror
Rating: NR

Overview:
Beast from Haunted Cave is a chilling thriller about four gold thieves who unwittingly awaken a bloodthirsty spider-like creature in its lair.  Little do they know that the beast has left its lair to quietly prey upon them from the eerie shadows as they flee for a hideout in the woods.

My Thoughts:
Overall this is a pretty dull film, and though I did really dislike the villain, the hero was so dull I couldn't root for him and his love interest is an equally dull drunken, cynical moll.  The last fifteen minutes or so of the film are the best, but I disliked the ending.  I liked the design of the monster quite a lot, especially considering this film must have had zero budget.  Not nearly as fun as Sting of Death.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 1.75/5

(From B-Movie mini-marathon on March 20th, 2013)

Veronica Mars Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

Episode 1: Pilot
Murder casts a long shadow. As Veronica and her father try to establish a new life in Neptune, the supposedly solved Lilly Kane murder case keeps pulling them back to the past.

My Thoughts:
The episode that started it all... when this originally aired I was hooked from the very first episode! This pilot episode not only sets up the main season long mystery very well... it shows how her and Wallace becomes such close friends as well as the start of the understanding and back and forth favors between her and Weevil. An awesome start to a great show that ended before it's time (in my opinion).

Episode 2: Credit Where Credit's Due
Slap the cuffs on Grandma. Weevil's grandmother is accused in a credit card scam. Veronica clashes with Logan's spoiled-rotten girlfriend and meets a great guy who belongs to the in crowd.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... Besides a good story of the week... it also brings the season long mystery a little further. The thought of letting an old lady... especially one you are related to... to take the fall for something like that... I just couldn't imagine. I do like they way it was handled in the end. Very satisfying.

Episode 3: Meet John Smith
How many John Smiths are there in the world? Veronica tries to track down a classmate's long-lost father, an undertaking that brings her a step closer to finding her own vanished mother.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode.... this one has a good surprise ending twist to it that I wasn't expecting the first time I watched it. But I won't go into that to much here because I want to do this with the least amount of spoilers as possible.

Episode 4: The Wrath of Con
Veronica turns cybersleuth when Wallace's wish-she-were-my-girlfriend loses cash in an internet fraud run by game geeks. Troy asks Veronica to homecoming, which stirs memories of last year's dance.

My Thoughts:
This was yet another good episode. One thing I really enjoyed on this one was all the flashbacks to when Lilly was alive... and all the fun she and Veronica had together. The mystery of the week was cool this time too... this is the episode when she really starts to get Wallace more involved in what she does. Very good episode!

(From Veronica Mars Marathon on August 24th, 2007)